Robert Kraft charitable

Shows support for duo

Credit: Matthew West

SURPRISE! Pats linebacker Adalius Thomas is all smiles after getting ‘unwrapped’ by kids during yesterday’s Salvation Army/Patriots holiday party at Gillette Stadium.

FOXBORO - Robert Kraft, taking a few moments away from the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation Salvation Army Holiday Party last night, provided some kind words for embattled players Randy Moss and Adalius Thomas.

Thomas was one of nine players on hand for the “Wrap-a-Pat” portion of the festivities held at Gillette Stadium’s East Club.

Kraft thought it was good to see Thomas at the function. The linebacker was benched Sunday, presumably for speaking out against coach Bill Belichick in the wake of being sent home for showing up late for a team meeting.

“I’ve always found him to be a good guy, and work hard,” the Pats owner said. “You know, we have 53 different personalities. It’s like a family . . . things happen. But in the end, it’s about winning, and that’s what we want to do. He’s right here, helping these kids, and he’ll make great contributions on the field. You’ll see in the next three weeks.”

As for Moss, Kraft isn’t piling on with all the doomsayers.

“I can only speak for myself. I really believe in him, and support him,” Kraft said. “He’s made a great contribution to this team. Wes Welker has been great and productive, but he’s been fortunate to have Randy on the other side. Randy will be very productive and has been very (productive) for us. Look at his stats. So I’m really happy he’s part of our team. I look for a lot of good things from him before the season’s over.”

When asked if he’s spoken to the receiver much, Kraft said he likes the fact Moss always looks him in the eye and listens intently.

“Everything he’s done, interactions with me and with this team, have been top-drawer,” Kraft said. “I’m sure a lot of other teams would love to have someone like Randy on their team. I’m really happy he’s with us, and part of what we’re about.”

Sanders steps up

There is something to be said for patience, biting your lip and having confidence a better fate will be around the corner.

James Sanders lost his starting safety job after the season opener, but didn’t complain or become a disruptive force, especially with the secondary getting torched in recent weeks.

Sanders got the call Sunday and shared the team lead with seven tackles in the 20-10 win against the Carolina Panthers.

“It just felt great to get out there, and do what it is I love to do, and get an opportunity to show what I could do, and help the team out as much as possible,” Sanders said after the game. “It was extremely difficult (to be on the sidelines), but we’re professionals, and I had to be professional about it.”

“He does a great job on the vertical deep routes,” Belichick said of the 36-year-old receiver. “He’s obviously big and fast and he can go up and get the ball. But he’s also very good on the underneath routes, like what happened last week on a catch-and-run play where he caught the ball underneath, broke a couple tackles, and got the ball in the end zone. He’s dangerous.”

Owens had an interesting post on his Twitter account last week, no doubt aimed at zinging Moss: “And I made it 2 my 8am mtg this am!! Lol!”

Maroney on run

Nick Caserio, the Pats’ director of player personnel, believes Laurence Maroney is starting to evolve into the type of running back the team envisioned when it drafted him in 2006.

“I think we’ve always had confidence in Laurence’s ability when he’s on the field. I think Laurence has shown what type of runner that he is. I mean, he’s tough, he gets downhill, he can break tackles, he’s strong,” Caserio said. “So going back, you know, Laurence has been productive at different points in different years and over the past few weeks he’s been productive.” . . .

Belichick on seeing Vince Wilfork (foot) and Ty Warren (ankle) deal with injuries Sunday: “You’ve got to fight through it. You’ve got to rely on your depth and a lot of times your ability for players to play more than one position so you can get those things covered.”